Stellaris: Nomads is available now as the first release in Stellaris: Season 10, adding a new empire type built around movement rather than territorial ownership.
The expansion is available as a standalone release, listed at £20.99, and is also included in Stellaris: Season 10. Paradox Interactive has shaken up the usual Stellaris structure by letting players run civilizations that do not claim systems or colonize worlds in the conventional way.
Instead, these empires operate from Arkships, which are mobile habitats that function as the center of their society, industry and military reach.
This is a major release from Paradox Interactive, in a year that looks rich in DLCs for existing gaming IPs, rather than new releases.
Nomadic empires change the usual Stellaris structure
The central feature in Stellaris: Nomads is the new Nomadic Empire type. Nomadic civilizations are not built around fixed borders. Their power comes from moving through the galaxy, creating routes, taking on tasks from other empires and building infrastructure along the way.
This gives players an alternative to the standard Stellaris loop of claiming territory, settling planets and expanding borders. Nomadic empires are designed to operate through movement, presence and interaction with settled civilizations.
The clue is very much in the name, given a dictionary definition of Nomad is “a member of a community or group of people who do not have a fixed, permanent home.”
Arkships replace traditional worlds
Arkships replace traditional worlds as the foundation of a nomadic empire. Each Arkship is described as a capital, fortress and population center, with upgrades available over time.
Players can choose from three Arkship classes, each aimed at a different style of play:
- Military Class: A mobile flagship designed to project power.
- Scientific Class: A roaming laboratory focused on research and discovery.
- Civilian Class: An industrial hub built around resource extraction.
The Arkship system is the main mechanical identity of Nomads, giving players a mobile base rather than a fixed planetary capital.
Waylines and Waystations create a mobile network
The developer notes also outline the Wayline Network. Players construct Waystations to create Waylines, which act as interstellar trade and resource routes.
These routes can be used by the nomadic empire while also providing benefits to settled empires. The system gives nomadic players a way to leave an economic footprint on the galaxy without holding territory, as a standard empire would.
Rather than expanding through borders, Nomadic Empires build influence through movement and connected routes.
Contracts add new empire interactions
The Contract System is another major addition. Nomadic empires can perform task-based interactions for settled empires, earning favor, resources and influence.
Settled empires can issue Contracts, giving both sides a new form of interaction. The feature appears intended to make nomadic civilizations part of the wider diplomatic and economic structure rather than isolated fleets moving between systems.
New origins for nomadic play
Stellaris: Nomads adds several new origins built around different versions of life on the move.
Voidfarers is the standard starting point for Nomadic Empires and is described as a flexible origin for players who want to define their own nomadic journey.
Heirs of the Khan casts the player as the successor of a murdered Khan, evading marauder hit squads until they are strong enough to return and reclaim their throne.
The Sacred Path follows a fleet of pilgrims moving toward ancestral holy sites, framing the nomadic journey as a spiritual pilgrimage.
Forever Cruise focuses on a divided Arkship society, with a wealthy passenger class seeking entertainment and sightseeing while an overworked crew keeps the vessel operating.
The announcement also says Nomadic Empires support several existing origins.
Defender of the Galaxy and the Stellar Cannon
The expansion also adds Defender of the Galaxy, a new Ambition connected to Galactic Nemesis threats from Stellaris: Nemesis. When a Galactic Nemesis threatens the galaxy, the Defender of the Galaxy can rise in opposition and attempt to protect other civilizations.
A new megastructure, the Stellar Cannon, is also part of the release. The announcement describes it as a structure that turns an empire’s energy stockpile into a weapon, firing a beam capable of striking enemy systems across the galaxy.
Champion’s Forge Live! adds a nomadic enclave
Nomads adds a new nomadic enclave called Champion’s Forge Live!, centered on gladiatorial fleet combat.
Players can take part in fleet tournaments across the galaxy, with the winner holding the Trophy relic until the next tournament. The feature adds another mobile, event-driven activity tied to the expansion’s wider nomadic theme.
New civics, perks, paragons and music
The release also includes the Wanderlust Ascension Perk, new renowned nomadic paragons, new tradition swaps and additional music tracks by Andreas Waldetoft and Batzorig Vaanchig.
Several new civics are included:
- Caravan Masters: Focuses on trade networks, relays and caravansaries.
- Deep Sleep: Centers on cryonics, with Arkship crews awakened when they are most productive.
- Void Reavers: Built around raiding and seizing resources.
- Flight Schools: Emphasizes pilot culture and ace crews.
- Star Seekers: Rewards exploration and discovery.
Together, these additions give Nomadic Empires several ways to specialize, from trade and exploration to raiding and fleet performance.
Mod playlist guidance for players
Alongside the expansion, Paradox also issued guidance for players using mods.
The announcement says mod playlists may be deactivated when players load the game, a launcher change intended to reduce crashes or other issues caused by outdated mods. The playlists have not been removed, and players can reselect them from the launcher dropdown.
It also outlines that Steam users can roll back to version 4.3.7 while waiting for mods to update.
Paradox listed several Workshop mods expected to be updated for release day, including DarkSpace, More Events Mod, Full Tiny Outliner, Ethics & Civics: Bug Branch, Real Star Systems, Endless Frontier: An Event Mod and Government Variety Pack.
The post Stellaris: Nomads launches as first Season 10 expansion appeared first on The Escapist.
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